Seven of Pentacles

The Seven of Pentacles shows those times when a choice must be made between keeping what you have and trying to get more. This is probably the most overtly dualistic of the Pentacles cards and, as befits the nature of the suit, both choices can seem lucrative at different times and in different circumstances. On one hand, we have the conservative viewpoint of not taking risks and keeping what you have. There is also the option of going out and getting more wealth, but at the risk of losing it all. The decision is so difficult because neither option is largely preferable to the other, and both are supported by the Pentacles nature.

After completing a project, and after receiving rewards for your hard work, you often get a feeling of dissatisfaction. This can come about by a number of reasons. If you feel that you haven’t done your best, naturally you’ll want to try again and do things better. If what you’ve accomplished doesn’t seem as wonderful as you expected it might, you’ll have to re-evaluate all your plans and try something new. Or perhaps you just feel some kind of emptiness inside you. You’ve won a great victory; that’s great, but what do you do now? Obviously you cannot rest on your laurels – change is necessary.

But the Pentacles suit tells us that with change comes risk. Why jeopardize the success you have, incomplete as it may be, in an attempt to gain even more? Shouldn’t you be happy with what you have? In material matters at least, staying where you are is often more prudent than risking everything for the sake of a small gain. This is the great dilemma you have to face on the Seven of Pentacles. So when this card appears, take it as a sign to rest for a while, look back on all you’ve accomplished, and then decide whether you’re going to leave or stay.

God rested on the seventh day to assess what He had done, so after any long period of hard work, even if you’ve already decided that you’re not going to change anything, take a few moments to look back and reflect. You’ll likely find you’re heading in the right direction anyway, in which case you should proceed with renewed vigor and tenacity. But if it looks like going further might mean risking all you’ve won, there is much to be said for staying where you are. There is no dishonor in keeping what you have; if you wish you can always change your mind later.